Claremont Conundrum: torn between Pomona & CMC

xiggi
Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:02:39 +0000

Shyhawk, since you have plenty of time, use it wisely to learn more about each one of the schools in Claremont. Remember that the biggest attraction of the consortium is that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

You should also remember that many students who attend one of the Claremont were as … torned and confused as you are today. In the end, they picked --or were picked-- according to a rather whimsical set of criteria. Do not fall in the trap of making a long term decision based on the opinions and soundbites of others. In the next month, try to learn as much as you can about the schools by contacting them often. Read the websites, contact the admission office, contact professors, poke around. Evaluate how nice and helpful people are. How long does it take to obtain answers. For instance, you should ask the admission officers about the admission numbers for the early rounds versus regular decision round. The answer might help decide if an early application makes sense to you.

Fwiw, I found the following statement interesting:



if you’re really interested in leadership then you should flourish in whatever environment you’re in. cmc is rightly characterized as a bunch of drunks, many pomona kids are still deciding what they’re interested in but just as many know what track they’re on.



It is indeed quite telling as it speaks volumes about an overly judgmental attitude that is, alas, present in Claremont. Does that sound like you?